Blood pressure monitoring
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Blood pressure monitoring · Jun 2004
Progress on the development of the MediWatch ambulatory blood pressure monitor and related devices.
The MediWatch is a wrist-mounted noninvasive blood pressure monitor designed to capture the radial pulse waveform using arterial tonometry and yield blood pressure measurements when the waveform is calibrated. An early prototype of this monitor uses a pulse-sensing system with a cylindrical plunger to applanate the radial artery. This prototype was evaluated against simulated blood pressure generated by a pneumatic pressure-pulse generator. ⋯ An improved MediWatch prototype has been developed that provides memory storage for measurement data and functions as an integral part of a Web-based system that allows measurement data to be accessed over the Internet. A pulse-wave analyser has been developed that allows the radial pulse waveform to be captured, calibrated and viewed in real time on a personal computer. A continuous noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system based on arterial tonometry is being developed for use as an alternative to the arterial line in invasive blood pressure monitoring.
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Blood pressure monitoring · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyDetermination of central aortic systolic and pulse pressure from the radial artery pressure waveform.
Measurements of central aortic systolic and pulse pressure, either gauged directly or estimated indirectly, have been shown to be superior to brachial pressure in outcome studies. While the radial pressure convolution method has proved to satisfy the criteria for 'substantial equivalence' to measure central pressure non-invasively, this study sought simpler methods to generate central systolic and pulse pressure directly from the radial artery waveform. ⋯ All three approaches gave results similar substantially equivalent to those obtained with the SphygmoCor system for aortic, systolic and pulse pressure. Hence, simple inspection of the radial waveform has the potential to improve the estimation of aortic systolic and pulse pressure.
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Blood pressure monitoring · Jun 2004
Estimating equations and tables for adult mid-arm circumference based on measured height and weight: data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and NHANES 1999-2000.
Mid-arm circumference measurement is a prerequisite to selection of proper sized blood pressure (BP) cuffs and accurate BP readings. The purpose of this study was to develop practical prediction equations for estimating mid-arm circumference (AC) in adults using NHANES III & NHANES 1999-2000 data. ⋯ The prediction equations and tables provide for mid AC estimation using readily available clinical data to select the appropriate BP cuff.
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Blood pressure monitoring · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of the effects on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure of valsartan and amlodipine, alone or in combination with a low-dose diuretic, in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (Val-syst Study).
The aim of this study was to compare the time-effect profiles of a once-daily administration of valsartan and amlodipine, each given alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide, in terms of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and heart rate in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. ⋯ The present results show that both the valsartan- and amlodipine-based treatments lead to a similar long-term reduction in 24-h systolic BP. However, in treatment responders, valsartan has a greater anti-hypertensive effect during the daytime.
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Blood pressure monitoring · Aug 2003
ReviewWhich is the correct term for blood pressure measurements taken at home?
The terms 'self-blood pressure' and 'home blood pressure' are being used to describe measurements of blood pressure taken by the patients at home. However, home measurements are not always self-measurements, because these are often taken by the patients' relatives. There is little evidence on the effect of self-measurement on the level of blood pressure taken using automated electronic devices. ⋯ Taken together these data suggest that self-measurement has no effect on the level of blood pressure, either in the clinic, or at home. The lower level of home in comparison to clinic blood pressure seems to be exclusively attributed to the effect of the different setting, rather than the person who is taking measurements. Therefore the term 'self blood pressure' seems to be a misnomer, whereas the term 'home blood pressure' represents a more appropriate term for home measurements taken by patients or their relatives.